Suction-type street sweeper



' w. R. FURR SUCTION-TYPE STREET SWEEPER Jan 4, 1949.

5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 15, 1945 William Fzzrr Jan. 4, w R U 12,458,258

SUCTION-TYPE STREET SWEEPER Fi led Sept. 15, 1.945 5 Sheeis-Sheet 2 N 31 P15712517; RFzzrr Jan. 4, 1949. w, FURR 2,458,258

SUCTION-TYPE STREET SWEEPER Filed Sept. 15, 1.943

3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Jan. 4, 1949 UNITED STATES i-ATENT OFFICEv2,458,258 SUCTION-TYPE smear sWEErEn William R. Furr, Washington, n.c=.f Application September 15, Serial l\lo l )2,51 7

This invention is directed to an improvement in suction-type streetsweepers, and more particularly'to increasing the efficiency andoperation of this type 'of sweeper, while at the same time materiallysimplifying and reducing the numberand form of the parts requiredwithout interfering with maximum efliciency.

The primary object of the present invention is the provision of a streetsweeper including a selfpropelled or otherwise independently movedvehicle,having a collector housing or body toward which air laden withrefuse is drawn by suction, and which such refuse-laden air is directedby pressure into the body, with such body provided with a maximum areaof screened escape for the air while directing the refuse into the body.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a suction trunk,open at one end to a source of suction, and'formed at' the opposite orinlet end for movement above the surface to be cleaned, with the inletend of the trunk initially adjustable to provide varying heights abovethe surface being cleaned as conditions may require, the trunk as awhole being further mounted for bodily swinging movement in anydirection in the presence of an obstruction to avoid damage to the trunkor its connections, the trunk automatically returning to initialadjusted position when the obstruction is passed, while permittingcontinuous suction influence through the trunk in any and all positionsthereof.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an independentlydriven suction fan having a relatively restricted communication with thesuction trunk and a relatively large and more or less direct pressurecommunication with the screened sec-tion of the vehicle body, whereby toprovide a relative high suction velocity and a materially lower pressuredelivery of the refuseladen air to the body.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a fan motor havingdirect connection with the suction fan to eliminate belts, gears and thelike which are liable to be affected by the refuse in the air, to saynothing of reduced cost, the direct connection protecting the motorshaft, while at the same time serving to insure fansuction efiiciencywhile preventing damage to the parts.

A further object of the invention is the provision of the vehicle bodyproper as a dump body so that under a load of refuse collected in theoperation of the sweeper, the vehicle may be used 1 Claim. (01. rs sio)truck body to transport the load to a place for dumping, the sweepertrunk being readily movable to a'pos'ition to arrange its inlet endabove the plane of the axles of the vehicle'to avoid damage to thetrunkdurin'g transporting travel of the vehicle. "The invention furthercomprehends certain important and'specific details of construction andarrangement, which will be clear from the appended detail description.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figurel is a sideelevation of the improved sweeper. l

Figure 2 is a top plan view with parts omitted of the body section ofthe sweper.

Figure 3 is a top plan View of the sweeper with the screen sections inplace.

Figure 4 is "a rear transverse section taken through the'body of thesweeper. l

Figure 5 is a detail, view of the inlet suction section'of the mainduct.

"The vehicle on which the sweeper parts are mounted is preferably anordinary truck, usually of the dump-body type, and while the term truckas used'herein is generally intended to identify such a vehicleLitwill'be understood that the use of any conventional orspecially-constructed vehicle for the-purpose is contemplated.

As illustrated, the vehicle includes a conven'- tional dump-body truckl, having a dump body 2, mounted on a wheeled chassis 3, provided withthe usual power and control means (not shown) and having the usualdrivers compartment 4, in which the usual controls for the speed,direction and steering of the truck are arranged. Aside from certaindetails to be specifically referred to, the parts of the truck form nopart of the-present invention and need no specific description" orshowing.

For the purpose of the present invention, the 2 is moved rearwardly onthe chassis from its usual position adjacent the cab d to pro videan'un'obstructed space between the drivers compartment and the fro 'tend of the body to receive the essential parts of the present invention.A platform base 5 is arranged in this space and removably bolted to thechassis frame bars of the truclr. A platform 6, on which the essentialoperating parts are supported, is removably mounted on the base 5. Astructural frame is mounted on the platform 6.

An independent motor, such as an internal combustion engine I, issupported on the struc'- line, the mouth will not ordinarily tural frameabove the platform. A fan housing 8 having an inlet opening 9 isarranged at one end of the platform 6, being secured at ID to the motorI and the structural frame on the platform 6. The housing is arrangedclose to the motor, and the motor shaft H extends through the rear wallof and into the housing. A suction-pressure fan i2 is mounted directlyon the motor shaft II.

The inlet opening 9 of the fan housing 8 is centered with respect to themotor shaft II, and the fan I2. i

The fan housing 8 is arranged to provide a somewhat eccentric pathsurrounding the fan, and terminates in a peripheral outlet '22.

The inlet opening 9 of the fan hOUSiIlgB is.

provided with an outstanding encircling flange 23, to which is connectedby a universal'joint 24,

a short trunk elbow conduit 25, to the terminal 4 volume of airnecessary for efiicient operation and to be disposed of through thefiltering cloth. The fan housing inlet 9 opens transverse'the length ofthe vehicle, the trunk conduit extends slightly outwardly anddownwardly, and the trunk proper 21 inclines rearwardly on an angle, Theuniversal joint connections permit substantially any necessary relativeswinging and rotative movement between the connected parts to affordmaximum eflficiency of the suctionac tion. The axial line of the fanhousing 8 is transversethe vehicle, and thehousing outlet 22 openstoward the rear of the vehicle and above and substantially in line withthe vehicle body 2.

The body 2 is, for the purposes of the present invention, to be providedwith means whereby the refuse-laden air delivered through the fan housofwhich conduit 25 is connected the trunk proper,

indicated at 21, The trunk proper, of metal or any appropriate material,comprises a hollow length terminating at the lower end in a fitting toform one member of the universal. joint 24,

the other member of which is formed or provided on the meeting end ofthe trunk conduit 21. The trunk'proper 21 extends toward the inlet 9,being circular for a portion of its length beyondthe conduit 25, andthen formed to present a slightly inclined outer edge portion and apronounced sharply inwardly and downwardly inclined inner edge portion3i, the sides 32 being slightly convergent toward the inlet 33. Thisprovides a substantially rectangular or tapering inlet opening, theouter end near the edge 30 being normally slightly beyond the plane oftravel of the truck wheels, while the opposite end is located inwardlyand beneath the vehicle chassis to pro- Vide a relatively long opensuction mouth 33 for movement over the surface to be cleaned. The lowerend of the trunk is provided with chains or other connectors 34 to beadjustably connected to hooks or the like 35 on the chassis of thevehicle to adjust the operative height of the trunk mouth at willrelative to the surface being cleaned. The chain connectors 34 readilypermit the suction mouth to move freely inwardly or upwardly whenmeeting obstruction, and also serve to permit adjustment of suctionheight 0f the mouth 33 at will.

In street cleaning particularly, the heaviest volume of debris is foundclosely adjacent the curbstone, and outwardly from the curbstone, thedebris is of lighter character. As the improved sweeper is designed topick up articles of considerable size, the trunk proper is of an unusualdiameter-say for example from fifteen to twenty inches, and while thisdimension is somewhat reduced at the trunk end of the suction mouth 33,it is apparent that laterally beyond the trunk encounter such large andheavy debris, and thus there will exist no necessity for a full widthmouth throughout its length. Therefore, the mouth is gradually. reducedin its dimensions, both as to width of mouth and height, toward'its freeend. There is another and important reason for such reduction. This isfor the purpose of reducin the necessary suction power and air volumeofthe fan as compared with that necessary if the mouth was the fulldimension throughout. Thus the motor may be of less horsepower thanwould otherwise be the case, the diameter of the fan may be reduced, anda saving in weight and expense provided without sacrificing anyefficiency. Primarily, the purpose of this arrangement is to reduce thecubic ing outlet 22 is substantially freed of the dust and refuse andpermitted to escape. The contemplated structure comprises a collectorhousing formed by side walls and end walls 37, fitted to rest on theupper-edges of the sides and ends of the body 2 and constructed forscreening the air.

v Each housing wall has a length commensurate with that part of thetruck body '2, with which 'it cooperates. Each wall comprises an innerand an outer frame, 33 and 39, covered with screen material 40 and heldin predetermined spaced relation by transverse end bolts 4!, or' othermeans. The inner frame 38 of. each side screen wall is maintained invertical alignment with the sides of the dump body and is provided ateach endwith posts 42 fitting into the corners of the dump, body butterminating short of the bottom of that body. The posts 42 are providedwith angle brackets 43 to fit over the upper edges 44 of the sides ofthe dump body and withthe posts 22 hold the screen wall removably inupright position. The outer frame 39 of each side screen wall terminatesabove the lower end of the inner frame 38 and is provided at its lowerend with a bottom section 45, inclining downwardly and inwardly to theside wall ofthe dump body and is provided at its lower inner edge withchannel bars to slidably fit over the upper edges 44 of the dump body.

The rear screen wall is identical to that of the side screen walls,having its inner frame 38 provided with posts 46 to fitv within the dumpbody and abut posts 42 of the side screen walls. Removable clips 41 areused to hold abutting posts together for rigidity. The rear screen wallhas the inclined bottom 48 to correspond with the inclined bottoms ofthe side screen walls, the inclined bottoms being connected at theirends to maintain continuity. v

. The screen wall at the front of the dump-body includes a single frame,as 419, having posts 50 and angle brackets 5! for clamping themtoadjacent posts 22. v

A top screen section 52 is arranged to cover the space between the innerframes 38 of the side and end screen sections, that is, such top screensection is commensurate with the space between the side and end walls ofthe dump body.. This top screen section 52 has spaced frame bars 53extending transversely of the dump body and is provided with a plate 51through which extends ashort air-discharge pipe 58.

The screen sections, or more particularly the frames constituting suchsections, are designed to receive independently removable screenelements 59, which aside from variation in dimensions are identical. a

the front wall of The screen elements, each completely independent, aresupported in the various frames by providing the ends with hook-likeextensions 6'! to rest on the connecting bolts 4! and On the frame bars38.

The end screen section next the fan motor '1' is formed in line with thefan housing outlet 22 with an opening 63 framed for strength, throughwhich the refuse-laden air delivered by the fan through the outlet 22enters the screened collector housing of the truck body 2. In order toutilize the improvement as a sweeping or cleaning unit only and provideother vehicles as transportation factors, one side wall screen section3'! at the end adjacent the opening 63 in the end section is formed witha closable opening 69 framed for strength.

Secured to the screen walls 3'! at a point in line with the opening 68for the incoming refuseladen air is a deflector strip 12 of sufficientdimension vertically to direct a considerable portion. of the air streamto effect a centrifugal whirl to the air stream. The tendency of thistravel of the air is to accumulate the dust and refuse toward the outerlimit of the whirl and gradually discharge by gravity into the body 2.As the air approaches the center of the whirl, it will lose considerableof its force and be practically free of dust or other refuse. At theapproximate center of the whirl, the relatively clear air that does notescape through the porous sides and top of the body is directed upwardlyfor discharge through the conduit 58, the lower open end of whichextends into the center of the centrifugal whirl.

The front end of the truck is provided with a refuse box 13 open at thetop and mounted for swinging to a dumping position when desired. A stepplatform 74 is mounted adjacent the box on which an attendant may standduring sweeping operation of the truck, and from his advance position,note and pick up from the surface being cleaned any object of a size,weight or shape beyond the suction lift of the fan. Such objects may bepicked up by hand and placed in box 13 and dumped therefrom by tiltingthe box at any convenient depository.

A flexible hanger 75 is suspended from a bar carried by the truck; suchhanger, such as a length of chain, depends in contact with the surfaceof the ground and marks the line of operation of the outer edge of thesuction trunk. The flexible indicator is at all times within the Visionof the driver of the truck so that he may guide the machine accordingly.The chain 15 mounted on the end of a pipe 76, slidably mounted in guides'a'l and fixed at Will in any longitudinal adjustment by set screws 18.

A scraper IE-3 is mounted transverse and beneath the body of the vehicleat a proper angle for leveling debris for convenient pick-up by thesuction mouth. This scraper is mounted to yield automatically and topass over any obstruction which it cannot level, or to raise above theplane of the axles of the vehicle when not in use.

The operation of the sweeper will be fairly plain from the abovedescription. The truck either of special or of conventional form, exceptfor the spacing of its body to receive the motor equipment, is providedwith this equipment, removably secured in place, which thus positionsthe suction trunk and suction mouth, the former being at one side of thetruck and the latter extending laterally beneath the body of the truckforward of the rear wheels of the vehicle.

The various screen section frames are applied to the sides. and endwalls. of the truck and the top screen section positioned.asfdesorib'ed. The air deflectors are applied and the air discharge pipeis applied to the top screen section. The triangular screen elements,each complete in itself, are then placed in position and the machine isready for use.

In driving adjacent the curb line, where ordinarily in street cleaningthe heaviest debris is found, the driver by noting the flexible hangeris constantly aware of the operative position of the larger end of thesuction mouth relative to the curb line and can steer the vehicleaccordingly.

Material picked up by suction is delivered as described into the truckbody, the refuse, even to the fine dust, is screened from the streamdelivered by the fan and the clean air permitted ready escape. When thetruck body has accumulated a desired load, the suction mouth may beswung up to a position above the plane of the axles of the truck wheelsand secured by the connecting chain. The sweeper may thus serve as atruck and carry the accumulated load directly to the dump for discharge.Of course, the sweeper, as such, through the provision of the outlet orside openings, may deliver the refuse directly outside of the sweeper orto another truck.

It is noted that the suction trunk may swing fore and aft, inward,upward and downward, to permit the suction mouth to pass over anobstruction too high to be handled or swing inward if contacting thecurbstone, and then instantly resume its proper suction relation,entirely without attention on the part of the operator.

What I claim is:

A street cleaner unit for removable mounting on a dump truck having achassis frame supporting a cab and a dump body, which unit comprises, incombination, a support for removable mounting on the chassis framebetween the cab and dump body, an open bottom collector housing forremovable mounting on said dump body, a source of power mounted on saidsupport transversely of the chassis frame, a centrifugal suction fancasing mounted on said support in alignment with said source of power, afan in said casing connected to the drive shaft of said source of powerto be driven thereby, an outlet peripherally of said fan casing andopening into said collector housing, an inlet axially of said fancasing, a universal pipe connection surrounding said inlet and securedto said casing, an elbow pipe secured at one end to said universalconnection and with its other end extending downwardly in spacedrelation to said casing to be beyond the side of the truck, a straightsection of pipe secured at one end to the downward end of said elbow tobe positioned downwardly alongside the truck, a nozzle member secured atthe lower end of said straight pipe section and extending substantiallyat right angles thereto for positioning beneath the truck, said nozzlemember having a nozzle opening extending longitudinally along the bottomthereof, from a point outside the adjacent truck wheels to a pointinside the opposite truck wheels, and chains secured to the top of saidnozzle member for adjustable attachment to the underside of the truckchassis.

WILLIAM R. FURR.

(References on following page) REFERENCES CITED The following referencesare of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 485,577 678,451 953,201 978,784

Name Date Ethridge Nov. 1, 1892 Allington July 16, 1901 Harn Mar. 29,1910 Rutherford Dec. 13, 1910 Vogelzangs Dec. 24, 1912 Murray et a1.Oct. 14, 1913 Finch Feb. 3, 1914 Fish Nov. 2, 1915 Number Number NameDate Sullivan Feb. 5, 1918 Bungay Dec. 12, 1922 Meyer Sept. 2, 1924McClatchie June 28, 1927 Owen Aug. 23, 1927 Birdsall Oct. 29, 1929 KernOct. 29, 1935 Smith Mar. 12, 1940 Bernal Nov. 7, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTSCountry Date Great Britain 1938

